The Rochesterian in Your Inbox:

We’ll hear from a lot of politicians telling us Kodak’s bankruptcy doesn’t matter. It matters because Kodak has 7,000 workers in Rochester and owns a significant amount of property. It matters because there are 25,000 retirees and their spouses. It matters because Kodak owns the largest industrial complex in the Northeast and it’s four miles north of downtown.

“The announcement that Kodak is filing for bankruptcy is difficult and disappointing news for the City and people of Rochester. Although Kodak will continue to operate during the bankruptcy process, the State has been in touch with the company and local officials and New York State stands ready to support the Rochester community. This is a time for all of us at all levels of government to come together and work with the private sector to support Rochester’s growth. Rochester is known the world over as a place where businesses can come to thrive and grow and the State will continue to empower the Rochester community in order to build on that remarkable strength.”

Sandy Parker of the Rochester Business Alliance statement:

“As president and CEO of an organization that traces its roots to George Eastman, I understand and share in the nostalgic sadness being expressed over Kodak’s decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. However, I do not view this development as a tragic for either Kodak or for this community, and the Rochester Business Alliance will continue to support Kodak as it works to emerge from bankruptcy, and to promote Greater Rochester for what it is – home to many world-class companies, a highly skilled and entrepreneurial workforce and a great place to live, run a business and raise a family.”

I really hope that we don’t hear any politicians say that, for all the reasons above and more. Do I think that this is overall the best thing for the both the company and the community? Sure, but it is a bitter pill to swallow and these things always have not readily seen consequences (what, if anything, does Kodak pay in property taxes and how will this bankruptcy affect collection of those taxes?)
Maybe you and I are a bit more romantic about it Rachel, having grown up in the shadow of Kodak Park, but it is, as you said, a part of our history, and if cities have souls then Kodak had a part in shaping Rochester’s.

the signs were clearly written on the wall kodak chose to ignore those signs this city WILL continue to grow and prosper without themI dont know why people are so surprised it was bound to happen at some point just like it said in the atlanta article they [meaning kodak] were gre9t innovators but their products did poorly in the market

Kodak has a lot of property in both Greece and the city. The value of that property – especially when Kodak blows up buildings – has already decreased. It’s possible there will be further lowering of assessments.